Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas holds a press conference in Tunis June 1, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

TUNIS, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas confirmed here on Thursday his planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, expressing the hope that it would lead to a resumption of peace talks.

    Speaking at a press conference by the end of his three-day visit to Tunisia, Abbas said he had agreed with Olmert during a telephone conversation to hold a meeting, but no date had been specified.

    "We must meet, negotiate to reach a peaceful political solutionin conformity with the road map (peace plan)," Abbas told reporters.

    Abbas has repeated calls for a resumption of talks with Israel since the negotiations were suspended after the Hamas-led government was sworn in at the end of March.

    The Palestinian leader also repeated his opposition to Israel'splan to withdraw from parts of the West Bank and unilaterally set borders if peace efforts remain stalled.

    He insisted on taking the "road map" plan as the basis for settling disputes between the Palestinians and Israel.

    Meanwhile, Israeli media reports said on Thursday that Olmert would meet with Abbas at the end of June to seek chances to resumepeace talks.

    However, the Israeli premier warned that prospects could be optimistic only when Hamas moderated its radical ideology. Enditem